Her Story
About Lena
Lena Sazo is a seasoned Mortgage Advisor and Reverse Mortgage Specialist with more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. Based in Alameda, California, she currently serves as a Mortgage Advisor at NEO Home Loans, where she helps homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and retirees navigate a wide range of financing options. Her expertise includes reverse mortgages, conventional and jumbo loans, investment-property financing, DSCR loans, home equity lines of credit, home equity loans, and other specialized mortgage solutions. Licensed in 49 states, Lena is committed to helping clients understand their options and make informed decisions based on their individual financial circumstances and long-term goals.
Lena began her real estate career in 2001 as a Realtor, spending more than a decade representing buyers and sellers and developing strong skills in relationship building, negotiation, and consultative sales. She transitioned into mortgage lending in 2014 and has since held loan origination and senior consulting roles, including more than six years with Caliber Home Loans before joining NEO Home Loans in 2022. Her academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University, an education that complements her ability to understand clients, communicate with empathy, and approach complex financial decisions from a people-centered perspective. Throughout her career, she has emphasized education and personalized guidance rather than focusing solely on interest rates or loan products.
A particularly important area of Lena's work is helping homeowners understand how home equity and reverse mortgages can fit into broader financial and retirement strategies. She believes every borrower’s circumstances are different and encourages clients to consider cash flow, borrowing costs, future needs, and long-term objectives before choosing a financing solution. Family, friendship, compassion, and a strong work ethic are central to Lena's approach, and she takes pride in finding practical solutions that genuinely benefit the people she serves. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking walks, visiting cafés, exploring food, and running a long-standing book club focused on classic fiction and historical fiction.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lena
01What do you attribute your success to?
My father had an incredible work ethic. He was born during the Depression era, so hard work was deeply ingrained in him—and I grew up witnessing that firsthand.
I’m also a compassionate person with a great deal of empathy, and I believe those qualities come through in the way I do my job. People often ask what I studied in college, and when I tell them psychology, it all makes sense.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
People need access to money in every type of market—whether the economy is strong or experiencing a downturn. Even when interest rates are high, there will always be people who need financing. The market may change, but the need for trusted lending guidance never goes away.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to find something within your career that genuinely brings you joy—and hold on to it. Every career has its ebbs and flows, its highs and lows, so you need to develop a thick skin. Not every setback is personal; sometimes, it’s simply part of the journey.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is educating people. With so many lenders available, borrowers often focus entirely on the interest rate—but choosing a lender is about more than just one number. It’s about service, communication, follow-through, and having someone who will continue to support you throughout the life of your loan and beyond.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value family, friendships, and a strong work ethic. I also believe in making time for the things that genuinely bring me happiness. What makes my career especially meaningful is the opportunity to solve problems, guide people through challenges, and make a positive difference in their lives.
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